Poll shows support for soda tax to fight obesity

FIELD POLL

James Parker (left), 10 years old, and Riley Cronin (right), 11 years old, both in fifth grade, using the hula hoop before a performance from Kaiser Permanente for students at Monte Vista elementary in Rohnert Park, Calif., teaching them how to make healthy choices on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. Performance educator Natalie Amaya (middle) watching them as students get seated for the performance. less

James Parker (left), 10 years old, and Riley Cronin (right), 11 years old, both in fifth grade, using the hula hoop before a performance from Kaiser Permanente for students at Monte Vista elementary in Rohnert ... more

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Image
1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

James Parker (left), 10 years old, and Riley Cronin (right), 11 years old, both in fifth grade, using the hula hoop before a performance from Kaiser Permanente for students at Monte Vista elementary in Rohnert Park, Calif., teaching them how to make healthy choices on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. Performance educator Natalie Amaya (middle) watching them as students get seated for the performance. less

James Parker (left), 10 years old, and Riley Cronin (right), 11 years old, both in fifth grade, using the hula hoop before a performance from Kaiser Permanente for students at Monte Vista elementary in Rohnert ... more

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Poll shows support for soda tax to fight obesity

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Nearly 3 out of 5 California voters would support a special fee on soft drinks to fight childhood obesity, according to new poll numbers released Wednesday.

The Field Poll numbers indicate an increasing public awareness of the problem and willingness to spend more to address it, medical experts said.

The poll didn't specify how much a hypothetical soda tax might cost at the cash register.

But such a fee could go a long way to reducing consumption of soda, which is a significant factor in childhood obesity, Madsen said.

"That's one of the most important pieces to this entire (effort)," she said.

The survey of 1,000 likely voters in November found that an increasing number of Californians want to see obesity fought on several fronts, including in homes, schools, communities and in government spending.

To pay for antiobesity programs, 57 percent of voters polled believed local governments should have the ability to tax alcohol, cigarettes, junk foods or sweetened beverages, if approved by a majority of voters.

By comparison, 22 percent of respondents said reducing obesity was a personal issue for families to tackle alone.

"Californians understand that health happens in schools, in neighborhoods, and with prevention," Dr. Robert Ross, president and CEO of the California Endowment, which sponsored the poll, said in a statement. "Regardless of age, ethnicity, income or political ideology, they recognize that investments in prevention save money."

Nearly half of state voters said unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise are the greatest threat to children's health, up from 35 percent in 2003.

Illegal drug use was the second biggest concern.

The survey found that voters almost unanimously believe kids and their families play a major role in addressing childhood obesity, but that they shouldn't have to fight it alone.

Most said medical providers, schools and communities - and food and beverage companies - should play a significant part in the effort.

Schools and pediatricians have been in the fight for years already.

Soft drinks are banned in state schools, and many districts have worked to improve the quality of school lunches.

In the medical profession, it's standard practice now to do an annual body mass index of every child age 2 and up, said Dr. Padmaja Padalkar of Kaiser Permanente in San Jose.

It's a screening tool that helps parents understand the importance of exercise, healthy eating and the choice of milk and water over juice and soda, she said.

"I think what is really heartening to note is that, finally, parents have improved their awareness for what it takes for a child to maintain a healthy weight," Padalkar said.

Kaiser also sponsors a free, interactive theater performance at schools to promote exercise and nutrition.

Public awareness campaigns, soda bans in schools, individual medical counseling and other efforts have already made some difference, with the state's overall childhood obesity rate peaking at 39 percent in 2005 and dropping slightly since then, Madsen said.

As was the case with tobacco taxes, hitting consumers in the wallet could go a long way to further reducing obesity rates, she said.

"It's one way of tackling it," Madsen said. "It's one more tool that we can use to try to help kids so the default behavior is the healthy behavior."